The Top Three Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century

OK, now that we are one quarter of the way through it, let’s ask a question. What are the top three most influential PCP airguns of the 20th century? And why?

Of course this will likely be a somewhat personal choice. So I encourage you to add your suggestions in the Hard Air Magazine Community. We can discuss them there!

By limiting this question to the past 25 years, we’re excluding airguns manufactured before 2000. So the Girardoni is out. Likewise the pioneering early Daystate and AirForce designs.

Then there’s the question “what do you mean by influential?” I’ll leave that one open to leave room for some lively discussion.

So – in order of first introduction – here’s my top three most influential airguns of the 20th century. Oh, and they’re all HAM Gold Award winners…

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Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – Benjamin Marauder​

First introduced in 2009, the Benjamin Marauder was a breakthrough design. Here we had a magazine-fed PCP with a shrouded, silenced barrel and considerable built-in tuning capabilities that were all externally-accessible. (Hammer spring tension, striker length and transfer port size).

There was a follow-up (BP1764 etc) model introduced shortly after. However that embodied no significant operational or performance improvements. Since then the Marauder has continued to be sold without changes: bolt action, unregulated and all.

The Marauder makes my list as it was the first really mainstream PCP air rifle in the USA incorporating features that are still regarded as essential today. Available at a reasonable price, it introduced a whole generation to the delights of PCP airgun shooting.

And it’s still manufactured where it always has been – Bloomfield New York.

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Benjamin Marauder PCP Air Rifle, Synthetic Stock 0.177

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Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – FX Impact​

The year 2016 was notable for the introduction of the FX Impact. This revolutionary Swedish air rifle set the “black gun” PCP look that has been emulated by countless other models ever since.

The modular design has allowed for great customization. Indeed this gun really kick-started the “aftermarket PCP parts” industry as we see it today.

The Impact was the first airgun to be heavily promoted using YouTube – through what are today called “influencers”. That, plus years of domination in long-range benchrest competition that is only just ending, long made it the “must have” air rifle for many airgunners.

It was also the first airgun to seriously popularize slug shooting as FX introduced a bewildering succession of barrel liners for that purpose. Today the Impact is still available in its latest M4 version, having been developed in a wide range of calibers and configurations over the years.

It’s in my list for so many reasons…

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

FX Impact X, Black PCP Air Rifle 0.177

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Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – Umarex Gauntlet​

First reviewed by HAM soon after its introduction in 2017, the Umarex Gauntlet had actually been announced a couple of years before that.

Nearly a decade later, it’s difficult today to appreciate the shock wave that this gun sent throughout the airgun industry. It was the first reasonably-priced PCP air rifle with a regulator – a feature that has come to be taken for granted since that time. That was a ground-breaking step forward.

So let’s quote from the 2017 HAM test review. “Umarex claims that the Umarex Gauntlet PCP air rifle offers the performance to match that of $1,000+ air rifles for less than $300. From the perspective of accuracy, shots per fill and consistent, regulated FPS, that’s a fair claim. Try to think of another PCP air rifle that’s regulated and costs less than $1,000 or thereabouts. It’s not easy…”

Since then, the Umarex Gauntlet has continued to be developed. New versions have introduced in .25 and .30 calibers, there have been new stock designs and sidelever cocking has replaced the original bolt action.

Today, the Gauntlet remains one of the few PCP air rifles to exceed 100 Ft/Lbs of Muzzle Energy in .30 caliber – we tested it to 110 Ft/Lbs – and it still does so at a value price.

The Gauntlet is in my list for its on-going combination of price and performance. It has always been the gun to beat for those wanting a “value” PCP air rifle.

BUY FROM PYRAMYD​

Umarex Gauntlet 2 SL PCP Air Rifle 0.22

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Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century – Conclusion​

So that’s my take on the top three most influential PCPs of the past 25 years.

It was really tough for me to whittle down from a much larger list of deserving airguns. I want to hear your nominations too. What guns are on your “top three” list and why?


The post The Top Three Most Influential PCP Airguns of The 20th Century appeared first on Hard Air Magazine.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

For the age of tinkering and tuning this is a great list...I'd still take a marauder over the Impact or Gauntlet any day of the week. When I think of influential, I think of the word marketing. Post like this always tend to get people riled up, they almost feel offended that you didn't pick the gun they own.

 

[Dogowski]

I started with an air arms ev2 it was over 2k.

Go big if you have the means. Great choice!

 

[Dogowski]

Funny part is that if I’m not mistaken, none of these guns existed in the 20th century

Good point and welcome to the forum!

 

[Pumacarl]

Yeah my mistake- I meant 21st century

To be fair to you, and for all the critical readers out there, you did say in your first sentence "that we are one quarter of the way through it" so any misunderstanding of that is beyond the typo.

 

[jps2486]

Surely you can’t overlook Mac1 USFT and Theoben/RAW rifles. These have been, and maybe still are, the benchmark of highly accurate competition rifles. I certainly agree with the Marauder because many of us got into this hobby with these. Moods were the first good quality, reliable and accurate PCPs to hit the market. And what about Air Force rifles? They are innovative and modular as well as economical.

I totally disagree with Umarex. They, like many other low cost third world products are just Johnny-come-lately guns to skim their share of the beginner market.

 

[SpindleB]

Surely you can’t overlook Mac1 USFT and Theoben/RAW rifles. These have been, and maybe still are, the benchmark of highly accurate competition rifles. I certainly agree with the Marauder because many of us got into this hobby with these. Moods were the first good quality, reliable and accurate PCPs to hit the market. And what about Air Force rifles? They are innovative and modular as well as economical.

I totally disagree with Umarex. They, like many other low cost third world products are just Johnny-come-lately guns to skim their share of the beginner market.

I have to disagree, the Gauntlet was a massive shift in the market. A high powered, very accurate, robust and highly reliable rifle was available at a price well below that of any comparable rifle. What was the domain of limited production and specialized rifles was available to the mass market. Since its release the rest of the low end market first struggled to catch up and now has many offerings of similar quality.

It completely rewrote the rules for what was acceptable in a low cost rifle.

 

[hameditor]

I have to disagree, the Gauntlet was a massive shift in the market. A high powered, very accurate, robust and highly reliable rifle was available at a price well below that of any comparable rifle. What was the domain of limited production and specialized rifles was available to the mass market. Since its release the rest of the low end market first struggled to catch up and now has many offerings of similar quality.

It completely rewrote the rules for what was acceptable in a low cost rifle.

I agree with that analysis of the Gauntlet. It made my short list precisely because of these reasons.

 

[jps2486]

I have to disagree, the Gauntlet was a massive shift in the market. A high powered, very accurate, robust and highly reliable rifle was available at a price well below that of any comparable rifle. What was the domain of limited production and specialized rifles was available to the mass market. Since its release the rest of the low end market first struggled to catch up and now has many offerings of similar quality.

It completely rewrote the rules for what was acceptable in a low cost rifle.

Yes, they did pave the way for less expensive quality rifles, but the others paved the way IMO.

 

[RicL]

You bring up an interesting point with the Talon/Condor because I had always looked at that gun and knew a lot of people were using it, but I never got one until a few months ago. So I guess (mostly because of its Star Wars look) it didn't do enough to get me to buy it, especially at it's price point, but the sub-$300 Gauntlet did. Knowing NOW what the TalonP can do, I can see why you put it over the Gauntlet in your list for sure. I still think the EdGun trumps all, it changed everyone's thinking, and the Impact most probably wouldn't have been designed as a bullpup without it's existence.

That’s a good point. Forgot about the edgun bp

 

[RicL]

From my own memory as an enthusiast. It was all a bunch of springers, + the talon/condor then the marauder made a big splash, then the edgun matador made another big splash and also the fx impact a bit later.

 

[MountainSportAirguns]

I remember when .25/.30 was considered a big Bore. Haha The Daystate Red Wolf I think really made a big change in the industry, weather people like electronics or not its impossible to ignore how well they do in competitive events. Really imo the birth of luxury PCP Airguns that have modernized the way people typically tune a mechanical gun. Of course they were not the first to introduce electronics but they have certainly made a good stride to better them. FX definitely came up with a fantastic design with the impact, it's become the build a bear of PCP Airguns. The marketing to many of the Airguns has followed closely, creating products along with accessories that nickel and dime the consumer . Spend $1,200 now, then next week release that $400 accessory that will make it all better. Lol

 

[Pumacarl]

From my own memory as an enthusiast. It was all a bunch of springers, + the talon/condor then the marauder made a big splash, then the edgun matador made another big splash and also the fx impact a bit later.

From my memory, it was the fwb124d that made a big splash, tried the first ar6 (91'ish) and it turned me off (noise) to pcp entirely until Ted started using different pcp in his videos, I did not want to bother with an unregulated gun at all (AirForce, Discos, Mrod) so I didn't buy another pcp until the price came down with the Gauntlet. It has all become a blur after that.

 

[KokoDjambo]

I want to mention the name Hatsan probabbly the most sold brand airgun in the world they made the biggest splash in the world doing unregulated affordable pcp airguns from fully automatic Hatsan Blitz up to .30cal 53 foot pounds of energy to precision long range with small to big bore .45cal Hatsan Bully and especially their latest version with longer barrel Bully 777/Long which offer so much thinkering from different valve springs and valves for flatter velocity speed to outside huma lane regulator and latest mod barrel swaps from fx heavy slug liner 800mm 1/24 twist you could have extreme speeds in .35 cal due to the smooth twist of the barrel without the rifling it gives 30% more power 200ftp with 83.3 grain slug wirh 1050 fps. For a under 1000 dollars thats a hard to beat offer. Only the 30 cal is not popular becouse it is not exactly .30 cal it is more .306/ 7.77mm stock barrel diameter.

 

[SpindleB]

I want to mention the name Hatsan probabbly the most sold brand airgun in the world they made the biggest splash in the world doing unregulated affordable pcp airguns from fully automatic Hatsan Blitz up to .30cal 53 foot pounds of energy to precision long range with small to big bore .45cal Hatsan Bully and especially their latest version with longer barrel Bully 777/Long which offer so much thinkering from different valve springs and valves for flatter velocity speed to outside huma lane regulator and latest mod barrel swaps from fx heavy slug liner 800mm 1/24 twist you could have extreme speeds in .35 cal due to the smooth twist of the barrel without the rifling it gives 30% more power 200ftp with 83.3 grain slug wirh 1050 fps. For a under 1000 dollars thats a hard to beat offer. Only the 30 cal is not popular becouse it is not exactly .30 cal it is more .306/ 7.77mm stock barrel diameter.

Bully 777 isnt available in the US as far I can tell. That happens a lot. Hatsan sells wood stock versions of rifles like the Blitz in Europe only. I have always been interested in the Bully but the weight has always put me off.

But Hatsan put semiautomatic and automatic pellet rifles in the hands of a lot of people who could not or would not pay for FX or Western rifles.

I own a Barrage and a Bullmaster. Modified and tuned correctly they are actually quite reliable. But in true Hatsan form, very heavy with a trigger that is terrible.

My Barrage weighs almost 18lbs/8.2kg. Not something you want to carry and shoot.

 

[KokoDjambo]

Bully 777 isnt available in the US as far I can tell. That happens a lot. Hatsan sells wood stock versions of rifles like the Blitz in Europe only. I have always been interested in the Bully but the weight has always put me off.

But Hatsan put semiautomatic and automatic pellet rifles in the hands of a lot of people who could not or would not pay for FX or Western rifles.

I own a Barrage and a Bullmaster. Modified and tuned correctly they are actually quite reliable. But in true Hatsan form, very heavy with a trigger that is terrible.

My Barrage weighs almost 18lbs/8.2kg. Not something you want to carry and shoot.

Barrage, at44 are their very early models of airguns which were mainly copy of crossman benjamin marauder internals. Latest are lighter like the Blitz which is around 4kg and it is somewhat easy to shoot offhand. I personally changed the airtank from 580cc to 700cc and installed 15cc plenum with 15cc altaros regulator and now is a bit unpleasent front heavy of nearly 5.5-6kg/13.2lbs with optic but still capable for offhand couple of shots. I havent seen blitz in wood in Europe, they sell a airgun called Hatsan Factor L with wooden grip but nobody is happy from it. Particularly the regulator often brakes and does not keep pressure even when new if moded probabbly be ok, but does not worth the lenght. Bully is affordable and compact big power in small package if you manage to change the barrel and polish the internals it's hard to beat.

 

[SpindleB]

Barrage, at44 are their very early models of airguns which were mainly copy of crossman benjamin marauder internals. Latest are lighter like the Blitz which is around 4kg and it is somewhat easy to shoot offhand. I personally changed the airtank from 580cc to 700cc and installed 15cc plenum with 15cc altaros regulator and now is a bit unpleasent front heavy of nearly 5.5-6kg/13.2lbs with optic but still capable for offhand couple of shots. I havent seen blitz in wood in Europe, they sell a airgun called Hatsan Factor L with wooden grip but nobody is happy from it. Particularly the regulator often brakes and does not keep pressure even when new if moded probabbly be ok, but does not worth the lenght. Bully is affordable and compact big power in small package if you manage to change the barrel and polish the internals it's hard to beat.

My mistake, it was the Bullboss wood. It is the Blitz Bullpup that is/was unavailable in the US.

AEA, Evanix and AirForce make some very good big bore. The new AirForce Tex-Rex .510 makes up to 900FPE. I'd like to shoot it but have zero interest owning one. I have .30 cal Evanix, Umarex and FX rifles and they are more than I need. Nothing new or current.

But your mods on the Bully are the history of Hatsan. They get close and leave the rest to the buyer. My Barrage took a lot of tuning between regulator pressure, return spring and hammer spring to make it reliable with a moderator attached.

 

[PasadenaMike]

Girandoni air rifle

 

[SpindleB]

Girandoni air rifle

18th century

 

[PasadenaMike]

18th century

lol I know

 

[Dogowski]

I want to mention the name Hatsan probabbly the most sold brand airgun in the world they made the biggest splash in the world doing unregulated affordable pcp airguns from fully automatic Hatsan Blitz up to .30cal 53 foot pounds of energy to precision long range with small to big bore .45cal Hatsan Bully and especially their latest version with longer barrel Bully 777/Long which offer so much thinkering from different valve springs and valves for flatter velocity speed to outside huma lane regulator and latest mod barrel swaps from fx heavy slug liner 800mm 1/24 twist you could have extreme speeds in .35 cal due to the smooth twist of the barrel without the rifling it gives 30% more power 200ftp with 83.3 grain slug wirh 1050 fps. For a under 1000 dollars thats a hard to beat offer. Only the 30 cal is not popular becouse it is not exactly .30 cal it is more .306/ 7.77mm stock barrel diameter.

Thanks for that info and welcome to the HAM forum!